Sunday Snippet: Uncommonly Good

Yeesh, July has been a rough month. I'm kind of glad to see the tail end of it. Of course, mid-August starts the school year and it's crazypants from then until after the first of the year. LOL

I'm almost caught up on Dark Matter, which remains pretty decent. I do love the character interactions in this show. I'm slightly put off by all the new introductions, but I'll get over it.

Still need to catch up on Killjoys and Wynonna Earp. I really, really hate being made to wait for the episode for a full week. Seriously? The stupidest thing ever to not have the episode available immediately for people who can't watch or have another commitment and are unable to view when it's on. I'll never understand why network executives get paid the salaries they do when they're making decisions that shoot themselves in the foot. <shrugs>

Final episodes of Teen Wolf start tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing how this series ends. Very excited for the returning faces.

Less than a month away from The Last Ship. Again, impatiently waiting for one of my favorite shows to return. Come on August 20!

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Uncommonly Good, a novella that started with the two-word prompt "ladies first".

Here's the mini-blurb:

Shelby Fewes and Creed Campanalla have a very friendly rivalry vying for top name in their respective dark and light organizations. When Creed is ordered to eliminate Shelby for retaliation, he makes a different call and the duo have an uncommonly good time proving the two sides can live and love together.

And a preview snippet…

Shelby Fewes dropped to her knees and focused her energy. With an outward push, she toppled her target, a low-level lightsider. She gave him props for not fighting against the bonds she snared him with.

Rising, she crossed the space separating them and lowered down to his side. "Malcolm Penter sends his regards. You're too far behind to catch up and he's making an example of you."

The guy, Benji something or other, closed his eyes and turned his head away. "F-figured he'd come calling sooner or later." He angled back toward her and met her gaze. "At least I get to look on something of beauty when I meet my end." Giving a nod, he indicated his readiness for her next move.

She ignored the bile rising in her throat and did her job. Placing her palms on either side of his head, she gave a sharp twist and ended his existence. Blowing out a harsh breath, she rocked back on her heels, keeping her head bowed while she dug out her phone. Snapping a quick picture, she forwarded the proof of her handiwork to her employer. One more job down… a meager notch in the column of what she owed against her mother's debt.

Getting slowly to her feet, she sent a message to the ward leader, Basher Cole, asking to have her fee applied to the balance on his books. She hated playing the numbers game. Poor Benji lost his life over a loan he'd taken out from a darkside fae. Why hadn't he sought help from a fellow lightsider?

She sighed. "The answer doesn't matter. Only the bottom line does."

She'd researched his habits and haunts and the guy didn't seem to be a bad sort. Maybe not the brightest fae in the bunch—hello… seeking financial assistance from the other side? Not a smart move. But he didn't go out of his way to hurt anyone and he'd worked a steady job plus another one on the side to make his payments. When he lost the second gig, he fell behind.

And she got the dreaded call.

Blowing out a hard breath, she turned and walked away. "Geez, I need to find another line of work." Of course, she had her own inherited debt to pay. "I've become entirely too damned good at killing."

Each death weighed heavily on her and she needed an outlet to deal with the frustration and shitty circumstances that turned her into an assassin for the darkside. Good thing the next round of cage match fights were only a week away.

"I need to kick some serious ass and take the top prize."

Anything to help balance the ledger.

Shelby's lack of choice is a challenge for me to write and I'm enjoying exploring her inner demons.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Twilight Kingdom

Ugh, the rain continues and it's making the outdoors feel like a sauna. I'm not against saunas but, ugh, I'd rather not have one 24 / 7. Besides… you can't run around outside with only a towel on. Okay, I guess it's not impossible, but I won't be doing it anytime soon. LOL

I had a friend recommend Will for my viewing pleasure. I haven't started it yet, but I'll give it a go. She's in love with everything about the show.

Have to play catch up again on my Syfy Friday night shows. I hate being behind and it sucks that on Demand and the Syfy app won't show the latest episode immediately. I have a lot of growly, snarly words about that topic.

Great news! Wynonna Earp is renewed for season three. I'm soooo happy we'll have more demon-killing gun action in the town of Purgatory. Woo!

Lots of terrific trailer action coming from SDCC. I'm looking forward to The Defenders if only for the awesome snark potential.

The Last Ship's new trailer is making me very impatient for the season to start already. Less than a month away, but still feels way too long.

Also… the final episodes of Teen Wolf start next week and I'm excited to see how the series ends.

One final note… I'm actually excited for Doctor Who again! Nothing against Moffat, he's written a few of my very favorite episodes but, ugh, he almost ruined the series for me. The entire last season just rubbed me wrong. I wish him nothing but the best with whatever he's involved in from here on out.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Twilight Kingdom, a novella based on the prompt of writing a spin on Sleeping Beauty.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jess Gillian heads to the outer rim planets to get away from his overbearing parents—the royal consorts of their home planet. When the heir is away, the evil Maniforti will play, luring Nareen Rhom, a palace ward, into a relationship so he can get close to the rulers. When Nareen gets wise, Maniforti casts a spell holding the entire kingdom in his thrall—until Jess returns and sets things straight.

And a preview snippet…

Eric Maniforti paced his war room. "By the twilight, I will get those mineral rights." His assembled staff bobbed their heads up and down.

Their action—more like inaction—pissed him off.

He slammed a hand on the long table. "Do any of you moronic imbeciles have ideas?"

One of his more cutthroat directors sneered. "Take the consort out and you'll get whatever you want."

Eric considered but discarded the idea. "I want the Scandavar mineral rights not a full-scale scramble for power. Eliminate Jantzen and the vacuum created would suck every noble on every planet in the system into a mad gambol for the ruling spot." Something he wanted, but why fight a war when he could topple the consort by underhanded tactics?

A skittish cabinet member raised a hand. "It's rumored the consort is very attached to the queen and heir. You could use one to make Gillian back off."

Eric tilted his head to one side, pondering the suggestion. "Not bad." A quick succession of ways to implement the nefarious plan.

One stood out.

Maniforti snapped his fingers. "Poison. At the annual court dinner. I'll remove the heir and usurp the ruling position." A sneering smile twisted his lips.

Toppling the House of Gillian would be an accomplishment, open doors for Maniforti, and establish him as a true master of the political machine. He could unleash the old ways once again and no longer have to hide his true nature. Removing Jess Gillian from the mortal coil only added a layer of satisfaction for Eric. His animosity and rivalry with the other man carried through from their childhood years spent in scholar's chambers. Jess could do no wrong and Eric hated being second best.

Landau, the skittish member, cleared his throat. "You're going for the son instead of the wife?"

Eric pinned him with a glare. "Did I not just say that? The reigning queen can no longer bear children. Take the heir out and the line ends with Jantzen." A fitting end for the overbearing ruler.

Kirkus, the cutthroat director, smirked. "Motion for this meeting to be adjourned so our esteemed leader can finalize his plan." A round of seconds filtered through the room.

Eric rapped his fist on the table. "So be it."

Once the members filed out of the area, he settled down at the table and drew the needed materials to the spot directly in front of him. While he mixed the fatal concoction, he whispered words in an ancient language, weaving a spell around the ingredients. If caught, he'd suffer a torturous end. Consort Gillian had harsh laws against the use of magick, especially the old rituals. When Maniforti gained control of the courts, he'd bring back the glorious rites and watch Jantzen burn.

Soon. Very soon.

So far, I'm loving the ideas for putting my mark on the classic fairy tale.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Truth Hurts

Coming off a very rainy week with lots of thunderstorms. That means I need to save after every paragraph I type. LOL

Watched another episode of Killjoys and, yeah, this is a great season! I love the banter and snark and pretty much everything.

Dark Matter is truly messing with everything and I'm quite enjoying it. I wouldn't mind if the pacing moved a little faster and I'm not completely sure I like having Four off on his own. That said, I'm willing to exercise patience and see where everything goes.

Wynonna Earp keeps blowing my mind. I'm excited to see what happens now that the baby news is out. The season feels a little off kilter but I like that because Wynonna is off kilter. My fingers are crossed for a third season because there's no way this story is over at the end of two.

Got another few episodes of Young Justice watched and still very much enjoying the dynamic of the group. I'm hoping the whole mole thing is wrapped up by the end of the season or at least the person is revealed. Should finish up in the next week and move on to the second season.

Can't wait for next month when I can start talking about The Last Ship. I'm so bummed they delayed the start of this season.

That's it for television. Tonight's post is from Truth Hurts, a novella that started with a writing community prompt of having one character comfort another after a loss.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Mardi Darr discovers her current lover is an enemy agent with an enchanted chip in his head. She gives the okay for a risky surgery and it lands him in a submersion chamber with no brain activity. Heth Santiago is responsible for Mardi being with Staz and he needs to help Mardi accept the truth… even though it hurts like a bitch.

And a preview snippet…

Mardi Darr crouched along the corner of the bar in Stinky Pete's tavern. "Staz, if this goes sideways, you need to take me out of play." She angled her head around. "I mean it. Kill me and make it quick." She turned her attention back to the front entrance.

Staz Manchun stared at her a moment then gave a brief nod. "Sure, Mardi. I won't let them get their hands on you." He shifted his position, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

Heth Santiago frowned. No way in hell would Staz have the stones to end Mardi's life. The Street Hawks, a gang of sorcerers, had a collective hard-on for her. If they got ahold of her, they'd manipulate her mage skill to boost their power. They salivated over the idea of capturing her before she hit her prime. A pureblood mage made a prime target for the sorcerer's quest for equality.

Heth focused on a way to get them out of the building before the crazy techno bastards stormed the place. Last count showed five hawks rolling up to the tavern. Heth's quick hex cast would buy them time, but not much. And if the members grew in number, the combined magick and tech could spell major trouble.

Joannie Blanchard leaned in close to Heth. "I'm sorry. I didn't know who else to call." Her gaze darted to Mardi. "Is she serious? About the killing her part?" She swallowed hard, probably to stop the wobble in her voice.

Heth didn't hesitate. "Yes. Absolutely." Most people wouldn't understand, especially outsiders like Joannie.

She enjoyed the intrigue of feeding information to the Wizard Mage Alliance and no doubt appreciated the accompanying pay. Heth didn't know much about her personal circumstances, but she'd provided good intel and they wouldn't leave her unprotected. The fact her dilemma brought Mardi back into his orbit couldn't be helped.

Mardi turned and met Heth's gaze. "Three more approaching from the rear. We need to make a move before they do." Her attention moved to Staz. "Don't forget. If they storm the bar, end it." She went back to scanning the perimeter of the tavern.

Staz gave another nod, but it lacked conviction. Heth rolled his eyes. Manchun wouldn't follow through.

Joannie lowered her voice. "He won't do it, will he?"

Heth shook his head. "Nope."

She met his gaze. "But you would." She waited a beat. "Because you love her."

Yeah, he would and, yes, he loved Mardi. More than anything.

Heth tilted his head to one side. "Thought you weren't dialed in." She listed as straight human.

Joannie smiled. "I'm not like you guys. But I do have some ability with attunement. I can read people and often get a sixth sense about them." She lifted her shoulder. "Nothing big."

Heth didn't let her downplay her gift. "Big enough to help us. I take it that's how you've always got accurate information?" His gaze scanned the side wall, seeking a weak spot or opening in the hex spell.

Joannie flashed a smile. "It helps. But I don't need ESP to catch the vibes you two throw off." She directed a look toward Mardi.

Heth narrowed his eyes, testing an area on the back wall. "For all the good those vibes do. We've got history, and baggage, and truckloads of crap between us." And if he could do things differently, he might… but he doubted it.

Joannie placed a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. Just poked a stick in a gaping wound, didn't I?"

He shook his head. "Nah. It's alright. Maybe not the time to—"

Mardi turned around. "Dammit, Heth. If you can't make yourself useful and find a way out, I'll never work with you again."

Staz quirked a brow and glanced back and forth between Mardi and Heth.

Heth focused on the soft spot he'd detected and whispered an incantation. The area wavered, shimmered, and finally opened enough for him to push his will forward and blast a hole through the concrete and wood.

He huffed out a breath. "Done. Let's move." He grabbed Joannie's arm and propelled her toward the exit.

Mardi hopped up. "Good timing. They're ready to rush the place." She grasped Staz's shoulder. "Let's get out of here."

She went through first, followed by Staz. They took up point positions and motioned for Joannie to come out. Heth brought up the rear, sealing their escape route and adding a ward to keep the Street Hawks from pursuing.

He tapped Mardi's shoulder. "We're good. Let's get Joannie to a safe house."

Mardi shot him a rare smile. "Copy that."

I love writing tension between characters and Mardi and Heth have loads of it.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Trip the Light Fantastic (A Chaos Novella)

Bleh. I'm feeling under the weather today. Allergy season is in full swing and my sinuses hate me right now. LOL

Got caught up on the premiere of Killjoys but haven't been able to watch the other two episodes yet. I hate it when On Demand makes me wait. Might have to see if they're available on SyFy. One of my favorite things about Dark Matter is how trippy they get with episodes sometimes. I love it when I have to keep up or get lost. Wynonna Earp… wow. Seriously, just wow. This show gets better with each passing episode. It's crazy, batshit, and over the top and I love every single moment.

Hoping to get into Orphan Black later this week. With five or so episodes ready, I'll have a good amount to binge watch.

I'm excited to see they've started filming season six of Arrow! Can't wait for the new season to start.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Trip the Light Fantastic, a novella in the Chaos series.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Esme Von Staunton and Ashton Sylvester think they might be going insane. Ashton's weird attunement with Esme draws her into his bizarre nightmare of hallucinations and doing things neither remember. Esme's brother Eric stumbles onto a plot by Baron Mobride and races to save his source and his favorite couple, but Mobride has other ideas and doesn't plan to let Eric thwart him.

And a preview snippet…

Esme fought back a wave of nausea. How did Ash deal with the vivid imagery of his nightmares? She wanted to heave the contents of her stomach in the nearest bin. No wonder he didn't want to fall asleep.

"Es? Hey, can you hear me?" Ash cupped her face, his warm fingers stroking her cheek.

She blinked and met his gaze. "What? Yes, of course I can hear you." Unless… "Wait, why? Were you talking to me?" Lethargy and confusion battled with her need to understand what just happened.

Ash gave her a small smile. "Yes. I asked if you were all right." He scooted back, patting the bed beside him.

She crawled up next to him and burrowed close. No idea of how to answer came to mind. With only a brief glimpse into what Ash experienced on a regular basis lately, Esme's admiration for her lover grew. How did he manage to function? No wonder he—

"Esme, please. Are you okay?" His voice filled with concern.

She snuggled against him, willing the tension from her shoulders. "I'm…" She angled her chin upward and met his gaze. "Going to be. Just need a few moments to process being in your dream while I was wide awake." Laying her head on his chest, she wrapped an arm around his waist. "That nightmare was intense." And he'd been having similar dreams for over a month.

Ash blew out a long exhalation. "It was worse than most. You died. That's a first." His fingers worked over her scalp, massaging lightly. "I don't want to envision your death ever again." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Esme shifted around, moving to straddle his thighs. "I'd rather not repeat the experience either. There's something truly unsettling about watching yourself die." Loosening the sash of her robe, she shrugged out of the garment giving Ash something else to focus on.

His gaze landed on her breasts and his irises darkened with desire. Mission accomplished, she trailed her fingers along the edges of his robe, working her way down to his belt. Tugging it loose, she spread the material apart, ghosting her palms along his skin.

Settling her hand over his heart, she splayed her fingers wide. "I want to chase that image out of my mind, Ash. And I want you to help." She rocked her hips, pleased to find him hard and ready.

Ash shook his arms free of his sleeves and leaned forward. "Be happy to, Es." He captured a taut nipple between his lips, flicking his tongue back and forth before sucking the tip.

Esme groaned, loving the kick of heat shooting straight to her core. What better way to cancel the storm of uncertainty surrounding Ash's nightmares than creating a maelstrom of passion? Esme couldn't think of anything else when Ash took her to dizzying heights of pleasure.

Esme and Ash are always fun to write and this series is a joy to work with. If all goes well, I'll have the whole four-book run ready before publishing. I love the characters in this one.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: A Timely Distraction

Welcome to July, meaning half the year is gone and I have no idea where it went. LOL

This has been a crazy week. I'm so far behind on my fave shows. I missed the premiere of Killjoys and I'm carving, carving time out Monday to make sure I don't get too far behind.

I did get to catch most of Dark Matter and Wynonna Earp. I really do like where things are going with both shows.

I've decided I'll probably end up binge watching Orphan Black. I haven't had the time to catch up on my missed episodes. As for Doctor Who… I'm just so disgusted with this season I don't even care how it ended. This makes me sad. Considering some of my very favorite episodes were written by Moffat—oddly, all before he became showrunner—I'm truly discouraged with how much he's destroyed the joy of watching the show for me. Here's looking forward to Chris Chibnall's tenure. May he bring back my love for the show.

Finished up my rewatch of City Homicide and think I'll be moving on to Sense8 for my next binge marathon. Also caught another episode or two of Young Justice. Almost through the first season and I like the setup for what I think is coming.

And that's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from A Timely Distraction, a novella with a fairy tale flair set in a magical realm.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Donahue Stuart, prince and heir to his father's throne, longs for grand adventures, but danger lurks from raiders and marauders, out for royal blood. Enter Lady Vivian, daughter of the king's oldest friend, and a kindred spirit who shows Donahue he can have all the magnificent escapades he wants, right in his own realm.

And a preview snippet…

"Vivian Minerva Ashworth Mewes, where are you?"

Her father's bellowing voice stopped Viv from making her escape out her bedroom window. He'd used her full, full name—not just her first and middle names. She'd lost her chance to make her getaway to the stables for a quick ride—her thoroughbred or a stable hand, either would do.

"Damn. He's found out about my refusal of Wallace Winsor's suit."

Stepping away from the window, she smoothed down her skirt, shaking out the hem to hide the riding breeches she had on underneath. Not like Herschel Mewes, Earl of Hawthorne, didn't know his daughter wore jodhpurs when taking her mount out… hence the skirt for an easy transition. But he preferred to see her dressed in day clothes, the itchy formal attire she loathed. He stopped short of insisting on proper morning, followed by afternoon garb, but always appreciated when she actually dressed for dinner. A small concession to be able to wear one bleeding outfit during the day.  

She checked to make sure the riding pants were hidden, then opened her door. "Coming, Father!" Marching to the top of the stairs, she paused when she met his gaze.

Anger and indignation flashed in his eyes and the firm set of his mouth indicated she'd be in for a tongue lashing.

Heaving a sigh, she gracefully descended the steps, stopping on the last one. She waited, because she only assumed he'd discovered her resounding no on the topic of Wallace Winsor.

Herschel clamped his hands behind his back. "In the drawing room, Vivian Minerva. You have some explaining to do." He jerked his head toward the wide open space off the hallway by the stairs.

Vivian strode forward, entering and taking her usual place by the north window. The one that looked out to the stables, where she'd really rather be.

Hawthorne closed the pocket doors then moved to stand by her side. "Why, Vivian?" He didn't elaborate because simple questions always put her on the spot.

She didn't look away from the view. "Because Wally would bore me within two weeks. The man can't purchase a clue, Father. I'd either have to kill him… or myself… if I considered his courtship." Her gaze slid sideways to catch the barely perceptible twitch of her father's lips.

At least he understood, even if he'd never agree with her reasons or choices.

He made a frustrated sound. "He's the last of a dozen perfectly presentable suitors. You have to have a better reason than he's boring."

"I don't want a man, Father."

His eyes widened. "You mean—"

She growled. "No. I don't mean I want a woman." She rolled her eyes. "To be specific, I don't want a husband. Men are absolutely fine when it comes to being a diversion, but I shouldn't have to tie myself to one just because 'it's what's done'." Why didn't anyone understand?

Herschel cleared his throat. "For the record, Viv, if you had been sabotaging all your suitors because you wanted a female partner, I would have understood." He raised a hand when she tried to jump on the subject. "However… since you've made it clear that's not the case, consider the topic moot." He sent her a sly half-smile.

Argh! He'd manipulated her into one less escape route.

She curved her lips in a smirk. "Well done, Father. Are we finished here? I'll formally apologize to Wally for calling him a weasel-faced gibbon and beg his forgiveness." Hoping to end the conversation, she sweetened the pot. "And thank him for his interest and nicely refuse his suit." There, that should do the trick.

Herschel gave a terse nod. "Yes, you will." He swung his gaze to clash with hers. "And then you're going to the castle for an extended stay."

She opened her mouth to protest but her dad's eyes took on a dark gleam and she snapped her lips shut.

He shook his head. "That's right, Viv. No arguments. And you can forget about heading to the stables." He glanced pointedly at her skirt.

Busted. Herschel Mewes rarely missed any of her tricks.

His voice lowered. "Your randy buck, Thomas, is otherwise engaged for the next two days, until you're safely en route to Kendara." The veiled meaning came through, no doubt as he intended.

Vivian's eyes widened. Damn. Did that mean he also knew about—

Herschel lifted his chin. "I know everything, Vivian. Who you lost your virginity to, the other lovers aside from Thomas, everything."

Uh oh… Vivian is well and truly busted by her dad. But all isn't lost. She's actually tripped right into his well-laid trap. LOL

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye